William Ernest Belcher Jr.
Obituary
William Ernest "Bill'' Belcher, Jr., was born the first of seven sons to the late Hattie May (Patton) and William E. Belcher, Sr., in Columbus, Ohio, on December 2, 1938. He graduated from Columbus East High School in 1956 followed by two years of service in the U.S. Air Force here and abroad. Upon return to Columbus, Bill contributed to his hometown through community works agencies, photography of the city's people and events, as well as fostering young children with the late Naomi (Cook) Belcher. In 1971 he drove to Los Angeles and lived there for a short time before heading north and settling in Oakland, California. He continued to be involved in community and artistic endeavors there while working, furthering his education, and raising children with Laura Mingst. He retired from UC Berkeley in 2002 after a long career in IT support, married his dear friend and beloved Arija Conway in 2006, and moved with her to Walnut Creek in 2012.
With kind and dedicated caregivers at his side, Bill passed away at a beautiful home in Alamo, California on April 25, 2021. He was predeceased by both parents and his brothers Robert, Walter, and Frederick Belcher. Bill is survived by his wife Arija Conway Belcher; children Audrey and Jewel Belcher, T'sera (& Christian) Mirescu, and Caethan Mingst-Belcher; grandchildren Ellis and Julian Mirescu; brothers Earl (& Lou), Harold "Bud" (& Grynda), and Dale Belcher; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends near and far.
Published in East Bay Express · November 30, 2022